The Survivors of the Chancellor

Chapter XL

January 7th.—During the last few days since the wind
has freshened, the salt water constantly dashing over the raft has
terribly punished the feet and legs of some of the sailors. Owen, whom
the boatswain ever since the revolt kept bound to the mast, is in a
deplorable state, and at our request has been released from his
restraint. Sandon and Burke are also suffering from the severe smarting
caused in this way, and it is only owing to our more sheltered position
on the aft-part of the raft, that we have not; all shared the same
inconvenience.

Today the boatswain, maddened by starvation, laid hands upon everything
that met his voracious eyes, and I could hear the grating of his teeth as
he gnawed at fragments of sails and bits of wood, instinctively
endeavouring to fill his stomach by putting the mucus’ into circulation
at length, by dint of an eager search, he came upon a piece of leather
hanging to one of the spars that supported the platform. He snatched it
off and devoured it greedily, and as it was animal matter, it really
seemed as though the absorption of the substance afforded him some
temporary relief. Instantly we all followed his example; a leather hat,
the rims of caps, in short, anything that contained any animal matter at
all, were gnawed and sucked with the utmost avidity. Never shall I forget
the scene. We were no longer human, the impulses and instincts of brute
beasts seemed to actuate our every movement.

For a moment the pangs of hunger were somewhat allayed; but some of us
revolted against the loathsome food, and were seized either with violent
nausea or absolute sickness. I must be pardoned for giving these
distressing details, but how otherwise can I depict the misery, moral and
physical, which we are enduring? And with it all, I dare not venture to
hope that we have reached the climax of our sufferings.

The conduct of Hobart during the scene that I have just described has
only served to confirm my previous suspicions of him. He took no part in
the almost fiendish energy with which we gnawed at our scraps of leather,
and although by his conduct and perpetual groanings, he might be
considered to be dying of inanition, yet to me he has the appearance of
being singularly exempt from the tortures which we are all enduring. But
whether the hypocrite is being sustained, by some secret store of food, I
have been unable to discover.

Whenever the breeze drops the heat is overpowering; but although our
allowance of water is very meagre, at present the pangs of hunger far
exceed the pain of thirst. It has often been remarked that extreme thirst
is far less endurable than extreme hunger. Is it possible that still
greater agonies are in store for us? I cannot, dare not, believe it.
Fortunately, the broken barrel still contains a few pints of water, and
the other one has not yet been opened. But I am glad to say that
notwithstanding our diminished numbers, and in spite of some opposition,
the captain has thought right to reduce the daily allowance to half a
pint for each person. As for the brandy, of which there is only a quart
now left, it has been stowed away safely in the stern of the raft.

This evening has ended the sufferings of another of our companions,
making our number now only fourteen. My attentions and Miss Herbey’s
nursing could do nothing for Lieutenant Walter, and about half-past seven
he expired in my arms.

Before he died, in a few broken words he thanked Miss Herbey and myself
for the kindness we had shown him. A crumpled letter fell from his hand,
and in a voice that was scarcely audible from weakness, he said,—

“It is my mother’s letter: the last I had from her—she was expecting me
home; but she will never see me more. Oh, put it to my lips—let me kiss
it before I die. Mother! mother! Oh my God!”

I placed the letter in his cold hand, and raised it to his lips; his eye
lighted for a moment; we heard the faint sound of a kiss, and all was
over!